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WIBSTIR,N.Yi  14580 

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CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(ii/lonograph^) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monograptiies) 


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.Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductiorts  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiquas 


■,i:il3i^init^- 


•*-■ 


ii..-* 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  original 
copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  thi<  copy  which 
may  be  biMiographicaily  unique,  which-jn^  alter  aiiy 
of  the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  ospal  method  of  .filming,  are 
checked  below. 


r~7|  Coloured  covers/ 
b/U  Couv^ture  de  couleur 


Technical  a||id  Bibliograpbic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 

L'Institut  a  microfilm*  If  meilieurexemplaire  qu'il 


n 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagie 

Cover.s  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculte 


^      ■  . 

□  Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


D 
D 

n 
n 


D 


n 


Coloured' maps/ 

Cartes  gtegraphiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  Mack)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (Lk  autre  que  Meue  oii  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 

Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

» 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrte  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may  appear 
within  the  te'kt.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  Jorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  f  ilmtes. 


Additional  comments:  / 
Commentaires  suppliAientaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  ttie  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  f  ilmi  au  taux  de  rMuctibn  indiqui  ci-de<sous' 

^OX  ux  18X        ' 


-T- 


12X 


lui  a  4t«  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details  de  cet 
exemplaire  qui  sont  peut4tre  uniques  du  point  de  vue 
bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  image 
reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modification 
dans  la  mithode  normale  de  f  ilmage  sont^ndiqufe 
ci-dessous.  •  ,* 

I       I  Coloured  pages/ 
~~J I  Pagei  de  cobleur         ' 

□  Pages  damagMl/ 
Pages  endommagfcs 

□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pellicultes  ' 


0 


P^s  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/       < 
Pages  dteolortes.  tachetto  ou  piquees 


□  Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d*tach«es 

0Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


t*i 


D 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualite  In^le  de  I'impression 


□  Continuous  pagination/ 
Pagination  continue 


D 


Includes  index(es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 

Title  on  header  taken  from:/ 
Le  titre  deJ'en-t#te  provient: 

title  page  of  issue/ 

Page  de  titre  de  la  ^ivraison 


\f  L 


a 

I       j  Caption  of  issue/ 

n 


Titre  da  depart  de  la  livraison 

Masthead/ 

Generique  (piriodiques)  de  la  livraison 


% 


16X 


1^^ 


XX 


n/ 


20X 


2«X 


^ 


^»X^ 


^32*^ 


^^d^t^Sj^a^i^ZTcCSi-- 


.^  ~pirTa-~-;*i-t;;KiiSffi3EitSS!fc:T:r-ri^    ^  - 


lu'il 
e«t 
de  viw 

le 
ition 


Th«  copy  film«d  h«r«  hat  b««n  r«produe*d  thanks 
to  tha  oariarosi.ty  of :    ;      /^" 


Soclete  du  Wuim    J 
du  Sarinalr*  de  Onebec 


VV    : 


Tha  imaoaa  appaarirvg  har^ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  eonsidarintf  tha  cd^ndition  and  lasibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaapinQ  with  tha 
filming  contract  apacificationa. 


Original  copies  in  prijf¥lad  papar  eovara  ara  fllmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  oh 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  IfnprM- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriate.  All 
bthar  original  copiaa  ara  filmad  baginning'on  tha 
first  pa^a  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
aion,  bnd  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuftratad  impraaaion. 


Tha  last  racordad  f rama  on  aach  microfifiha 
shall  contain  tha.  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), jor  tha  symbol  ▼  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charta.  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  ut  be 
entirely  included^^in  one  expoaura  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as   , 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


\. 


ye«emplaira  filmi  fuf  reproduit'grice  A  la 

g«n«rosit«  de:    - 

.■  -  -'.-■    -^  ■    ■■-■■.- 

Socfvte  du  Niisee       ^, 

du  Sorinai  re  de  Quebec  '    ,.'    ■%.'■* 

Les  images  suivantas  ont  At*  raproduitas  aVec  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  le  nettet*  de  I'exemplaira  film*,  at  •r\ 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  da       '^ 
filmage. 

Les  exemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papier  Mt  ImprimAe  sont"  filmAs  en  commancant 
par  le  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  emjpreinte 
d'imprassioh  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  sacofM| 
plat,  salon  le  ces^  tous  les  autres  axamplairai 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commencant  par  la  '  ' 
pramlAre  pag%qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustretion  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darniAre  paga  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dea  symbplaa  suivants  spparaftra  sur  la 
darnlAre  image  de  chaquA  microfiche,  salon  la: 
cas:  le  syrtlbole  ^-^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  plenches.  tableaux,  etc..  pduvent  Atra 
filmAs  A  das  tsux  de  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsqua  le  document  est  trop  grsnd  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA.  il  est  filmA  A  pertir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droits, 
at  de  haut  en  bes.  en  prenant  la  nombra 
d'imagas  nAcesseire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthoda. 


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'#*Ji^i' 


f       « ■    t 


THE  DEFENCE  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


A   DISCOURSE 


DCLIVERElf  IN  THE 


REFORMED    DVTCa    CHURCH, 


NEia^  BiturswicK, 


\    1 


/ 


DECEM^^R   I6i   1841, 


1- 


V. 


IN  THE  IlfAUODKATIOIV  OP 


*       / 

S.  A.A  AN   VRANKE^,  D.  p. 

AS  PROFESSOR^r  DIDACTIC  THEOLOGY  IN  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SElONAlir 


AT  NEW  BRUNSWICK. 


i 


i    / 


Bir  T.  E.  VERMILYE. 


NEW   YORK:  , 

WILU^lf  E.  DEAN,  PRINTER,  2  ANN  STREET. 


1842. 


J     \ 


»-•  "  Hf^^Vf 


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snmry-f^'     ■^•^^. 


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.TS:? 


V 


'-I' 


SERMON, 


«  /  a»i  56/  for  the  defence  of  the  Gospel,^ — Philip- 
pians,  1.  17.  ^     ' 


^: 


\i- 


'  T^iE  human  mind  never  appears  in  an  attitude 
more  grand  and  imposing,  and  never  employs  its 
energies  with  more  decisive  effect,  than  when  it  is 
intent  on  one  greaf  thought,  or  sets  itself  to 
achieve  one  lofty  purpose.  It  is  comnion^|jpeak 
of  such  persojis  slightingly,  and  in  a  w^'that 
would  imply  narrowness  of  intellect,  as  men  of  one 
idea.  Yet  is  there  no  narrowness,  but  the  highest 
wisdom,  if  the  subject  with  which  they  are  oceiiv 
pied  be  but  elevated  and  worthy.  We  are  so  c6n- 
kituted,  that  when  we  allow  our  faculties  to  diffuse 
themselves  over  a  multiplicity  of  objects,  they  are 
necessarily  divided  in  their  action:  the  mental 
vision  becomes  distracted,  our  conceptions  are 
feeble  and  indistinct,  the  fervor  of  feeling  subsides, 
impulse  is  withdrawn,  and  our  moral  power  is  im- 
paired or  broken.    But  by  the  bontrary  method, 


4r- 


—   • 


* 


the  inner  forces  are  marsLalled  and  concen.ra.cd 
«t  a  s-nglo  point,  and  advance  in  their  course  wU 
a«us.u,ned  intensity  of  effort ,  and  tl,cir  '  cc 

sensl-s^oftlic  less  aspiring  „r  108,  resolute. 

«  '""7'»^'"'- ^  sleepless  passion  cpnsun,od 
.ho  sou.  of  .„e  Man  oHle^y.  «,.„  ,„  .^    ^^^^^ 

^  rope  and  astonished  ,i;:^W.     „„aslLan,- 

Mona,n.,«g,o    ,u.ch  the  sceptre  of  a  suhni 
8  vc  continent,  and  reign  absolute  over  half  the 
g'obo.    It  was  selfish  indebd,  un.nitigated  hy  a 
rob  01  tenderness  for  prostrate  royalty  or  L! 
.I..ng.yr„.ds,  deaf  to  .lie  cries  ofi,eedi„„  "Z^ 
n.an,ty,  and  relentless  a4  .he  grave.     Buti.s°cal 
-s  undiverted,  its  efforis  wL  untying,  aTa    ' 
tength, ..  .vas,boyond  in.agination,  succeLl-o^, 
to  vary  the  n.s.ance  and  seek  in  „no.l,er  direction 
a  more  agreeable  illush^fion,   i,  was  one  great 
.^ough,  revolved  in  the  teen,ing  mind  of  A^lton 
„d   '.r  "T    ^™  ""'  """^'^  "^  English  song  = 
Ce  Z7'    """  *"  """""  '^''  «enerous  de- 

would  not  be  wdling  to  forget." 

Bu^ij;  to  Hha.  may  be  regarded  as  the  nwuraf 
energy  of  .he  mind  in  such  circums.,^ces,  be  ad- 
ded a  sense  pf  religious  obligation;  if  the  indi- 
vdual  believes  himself  the  subject  of  a  divine  vo- 
:  cauon.  and  Ms  field  of  labor  the  especial  appoint- 


L. 


i 


"'.  ••■'aw'fi-' 


5 


mcnt  of  hcnvcn,  it  is  then  that  we  behold  the  spec- 
tacle of  true  moral  sublimity.  The  pne  thought 
absorbs,  the  one  authority  controls.  All  that  is 
imperative  in  duty,  or  sacred  in  consecration,  that 
"fs  holy  in  resolve  or  high  in  aim,  rises  before  us. 
The  iinj)ulse,  whatever  maybe  its  object,  is  re- 
strained by  no  ordinary  impediments,  and  the  suc- 
cess is  linuted  only  by  the  boundaries  of  the  allot- 
ted  sj)here  of  action,  or  the  necessary  infirmity  of 
human  nature.  What  the  human  will  can  com- 
mand, or  zeal  attain^  6r  fortitude  endur-e',  will  surely 
be  exemplified.  When  at  the  Diet  of  Worms, 
belore  a  splendid  assemblage,  and  within  thegraSp 
of  his  enemies,  Luther,  as  the  only  response  to 
his.  arguments,  was  peremptorily  required  to  re^ 
cant,  you  recollect  his  intrepid  reply.  "Unless  I. 
am  convinced  by  tioly  Writ  or  by  clear  reasons, 
I  neither  caii ,,nor  will  retract  any  thing  :, for  it  is 
neitlicr  safe  i^Hanno'ccnt  to  go  against  a  man's 
conscience.  ^Ewrf  help  pic:  I  can  do  no  otherwise  : 
Here  I  Stani?."  Indeed  it  may  be  safely  afffrm- 
ed,  that  this  Singleness  of  object  and  decision  of 
pursuit,  is  in  some  measure  requisite  to  every  at- 
tainment of  goodness  or  greatness. 

The  very  highest  example  is  that  of  the  Re- 
deemer himself  j  who  came,  "not  to  do  his  own 
will,  but  the  will  of  him  that  sent  him,"  Vho  was  in- 
tent, even  in  the  agony  of  the  cross,  to  finish  the 
work  his  Father  had  given  him  to  do.    But  next 


\; 


gSiWSS'PWW** 


,« 


• 'o '"»  divine  tt,„a,„  -j     -^ 

^  by.  <l.e  Apo,,l«  ,.„„,  ™"« '  ''"^^  """l '"  JcMh.  than 
^«o».i.ncnt  ofhis  sbul'  was '  ^.f""'""*'''  "'"'^'•""e 

later  of  the  truth  ^  I  „^     "™»-sCfvIce  as  a  rain. 

■        "«".  'I.e  spring  of  hi,  laS„!        '"'  '""•''«- 
i  «-«>  of  W,  g,o,i^,  ■^^^^>'"'^  u.^er  God,  .he 

,  l"""^  «*«',  appointed  con         /^'""S"**!  I'im- 

}bo  thought  sufiicientiv  In  h!  '  ^  "■""  ''  «"' 

•iXion,  fo  regard  it  in  ,1  '"'"""'''« ■»«<«- 

^'^  "M  4„i„  *      '""  «^"^«''  t-"^  of  view. 

"fmd   '■,   <  '■'   ^O   BE   DEFESDED. 

*»■>  '«,r»lr  '■"°'""'   "'=•'=''<=•=    '•«I=-SrP..OSES       , 

'■t''^-,^;a.:S:frri:r"^-^- 

"  ^'^"stor  the  teach- 


\' 


r:^. 


1.    < 


/ 


.  f 


lyj^ftsi^ip'' 


\ 


'ps  more 
atii,  than 
'JouJdiiig 
ng^love 
»  he  (Ic- 
s  a  rain- 
>  of  the 
3c]/'.(Je- 
^<I,  the 
d  him- 
al  scr*" 
as  Jie 
on  of 


r:^. 


7 


/ 


/ 


cr  of  Holy  verities— that   in  whatever  sphere  lie 
.-may  be  called  to  labor,  should  be  regarded  as  his 
apriropriate  theme ;  and  is  of  magnitude  and  in- 
tcri^st  sufficient  to  Cxacft  the  tribute  of  profounclest 
thought,  of  glowing  affections  and  the  Tnost  stren- 
uous activity  ?    Ills  the  gospel.     In  general,  that 
devtlopment  of  religious  truth  whi«h  is  contained 
in  tho-Holy  Scriptures ;  and  which,  as' a  complet^ 
and  harmonious  system,  we  beUeve  embraces,  anCT 
.  aloniiD  exhibits,  all  that  is  requisite  for  present  hope' 
-and  Ifinal  salvation  to  a  guilty  world.     The  iderf  of 
"rfc^cncc,**  implies  that  either  in  its  own  clraracter 
or  ii^  its  toncomitaint  circumstances,  there  is  gome-' 
thing  that  excites  hosl^jity  to  its  claims :  that  celes-    - 
tial  as  to  those  who  have  received  it  may  seen^  its^ 
form,  Wautiful  its  aspect  and  Alluring  its  voice, 
with^thers  if  has  *|neither  form  nor  comeliness,'? 
W  but  awakes  enmity  and  provokes  i:eje6tion. 
This  suggestion  may  aid  us  in  fqrming  a  clear  con- 
ception of  the  Gospel,  by  leading  us  to  contem. 
plate  it,  as  our  time  will  allow,  in  certain  promi- 
nent features,  which 'display  its  peculiar  character- 
istics ;  and  in" which  it  is  opposed  to  every  other 
scheme  of  religion,  and  stands  peerless  as  "the 
glorious  Gospel  of  the  ever  blessed  God,"— «  gla,d " 
tidings  to  ^rpeople."  - 

.1.  It  comes  to  us  as  a  divixe  reV>elation  ;  the 
very  utterance  of  Deity;  the . disclosure  of  his 
mind  and   will;    his  voice  eminating  from  the 


:.^- 


'•'.-"'»* 


throne,  „^g  ,h„,„gh  «,e  universe,  and  prolong, 
ed  through  succeNve  ages  of  ,i™e.     Thus  wTife 

'      «""   necessarily  given   i„  the  language  of  men 
-d  adapted  t,  hu^an  con.prehens.on,;e.h  ve  a ,' 
the  ^ters  been  instrueted,  and  inspired  by  one 
a»d  .he  same  Spirit.    The  same  BeL  spie Tv 
Moses  m^fhe  Wilderness;  by  David  tit  'a„de^ 
;i^;  ''P^-'';»d.heroya,mi„.,>ei,  bythego:: 
.ng  Isaiah  and  the  plaintive  Jeremiah,  t  Ezekiel 
and  Darnel,  and  Hosea  and  Amos,  and  S  Wa 
>|en„gpof  the  aneient  scriptures.    And  thS^ 
^nes  we  a..o  hear  in  the  Evangelists  of        C 
•     J^t'""*'"'  »  l'""!  ind  James,  and  Peter  ani' 

Joh„,andJudeandtheAp„eaIypticvisions."God 
who  ar  sundry  times  and  in  divers  portions  spT 
.n|nes  pas.  unto  the  Fathers  b/the.  P^S 
h«h  spoken  unto  us"  by  his  Apostles  and  eventy 

h«  Son.    And  thus  it  is  both  God's  own  and  his 
only  message  of  .ruth  and  grace  to  the  tribes  and 

generations  of  men.    So  wonderful  is- itstwjn 
30  aug^tuscharacer,  so  imperative  its  a«t^^ 

Now  it  would  seem  but  natural  «,at  such  a  vol- 
urn    should  engage  a..e„.ive  and  solemn  .hough, : 

object  of  .he  deepes.  in.eres.;  and  migh.  claim 
:«.m..passing  no.ice,  as  a  matter  of  curious  en 
quuyM  Ui«  Ie.a..-sve„  from  Uiose  who  pretend  to 


^:~/ 


-^^j^^^^-T^  -j*^iE!^^rt-uii§. 


\ 


rolong- 
3,  while 
lication 
f  men, 
lave  alJ 
^y  one 
ike  by 
ahder- 
glow- 
zekjel 
JVQral 
sanie^"~\-. 
New 
and 
God^ 
pake 

nhy 
I  his 
and 
gin, 
lor- 

oU 
It  ; 
I  a 
im 
in- 
to 


■1 

I 


^'t- 


be  enlightened  and  philosophic:  unless,  indeed, 
that  character  be  more  easily  purchased  by  a  cavil 
or  a  sneer.    But  with  such  pretensions  it  deserves 
and  it  courts  investigation.  ,  Its  evidences  are  at 
hand  and  demand  only  to  be  candidly  examined. 
And  what  are  they  ?    They  range  througlf  almost 
all  possible  modes  that  ipay  be  required  to  give 
demonstration  to  trutf^r  conviction   to  doubti  s 
They  are  partly  historical;   showing  the  neces- 
sity of  a  reiQation  distinct  from'  the  teaching  of 
natural  reason,  the  genuineness,  authenticity  and 
correct  preservation  of  those  minor  productions 
which  make  up  the  sacred  volume.    They  claim 
the  seal  and  attestation  of  heaven  to  the  doctrine, 
firstly  supernatural  intervention, "  when  to  his  mir^ 
ac/es  of  might,  nature  lissentin^^wned  her  Lord :" 
and    again  by  the  foreshadd^ngs  of  ^aropAccy, 
Which,  alj-eady  partly  fulfilled  iifthe  history  of  in- 
dividuals and"  nations,  and  cities  and  empires, 
stand  forth  as  so  manj  monuments  which  time  has 
been  silently  rearing  to  the  truth  of  God,  and  the 
divinity  of  his  word.    They  are  also  partly  exper- 
imental and  rational ;  bringing  out  to  view,  the  in- 
ternal structure,- the  direct  precepts,  the  spirit  of 
the  Gospel,  the  harmony  of  its  several  parts,  its 
evident  scope  and  tendency,  and  its  observed  influ- 
ences ;  and  demanding  in  a  tone  and  with  the  bear- 
ing of  conscious  integrity,  if  these  are  the  marks 
of  imposture  and  deceit  ?    If  that  volume  which 


V     ,J»f 


1  . 


:+ 


t 


lit 


it 


>  st^^mij  AMxI&Mi 


■f  -^  n-»-'«*far  '. 


10 

•■'-ev.enS/lr^P--'' elevated. 
Md  yet  ao  clearly  fust  ^T  ""'''*  •"■  ■»«»' 

.         *«<>»  and  warns  of  „rl  """*'•  '<""■ 

«"  so  different  hi      J        '"^^^"'  *^"^y. 

^  ^  suspected, Tnd  yTST'"'  '"'"*'"""''•  »°  "»^ 

o-^M.eed::s;-^---" 

ft  is  opposed  to  XI         ""'  ■"""^  ■"'"g^-ists. 
.™e  God,  and  undeTtL         T  '^"""""^  •""  **« 

-i^ion,  ..e  oS-rr  :rir-".e 

some  Deitv  t/>  k.  «""«,  mat  there  is 

"eity  to  be  propitiated  or  anneawH     «r  .l 
mass  of  idolatry  wR,.!.      j  '^"PPeased.    Of  the  ■ 

»ge  to  age,  httr!    .  ""f  '"'"^  '■°™».  fro™ 
"an  ™i„f  ,~ ''■'f "«'' *■•<>  "eluded  the  hu. 

"■ou.hitirXeS^::*"'''^- 

•--dera.,i.saspects,'sen:rL    eo^'""^'" 
•emper,  and   debasing   in    i,,   ;„«         ""  '" '" 

3i^d  d^sr '---:. af:; 

forms  with  „J:r;-  *«  f ;«--  and  m.„a,„ral 
ea«h.theira,ta;'a:dtir'j!:r^l7-P'-''e 

"^'"''^"'•'"^'•''--bdSSrbar,! 


■-ip  ,'^- 


■"•"-l 


kL..    .1 


.1/'  »• 


11 


ways  vanished,  like  morning  mists,  before  the 
bright  shining  of  the  sun  of  righteousness. 

But  another  antagonist,  the  contrast  of  super- 
stition, is  tnet  in  infidehty.  And  yet,  we  may  fear- 
lessly affirm,  that  the  result  of  the  Dcistical  con- 
troversy, on  every  field,  has  hitherto  been  the  sig- 
nal triumphrof  the  Bible,  with  possibly  a  single  ex- 
ception. I  refer„  to  the  geological  argument : 
which  however,  they,  who  in  their  retreat  would 
here  glean  Parthian  arrowy  against  the  scriptures, 
must  themselves  admit  to  be  far  from  complete 
and  decisive.  As  a  science,  it  is  yet  too  recent, 
evidently  too  limited  in  its  discoveries  when  we 
contemplate  the  wide  fields  it  is  its  province  faith- 
fully to  explore,  too  partial  in  its  deduction  of  facts, 
and,  as  appears  from  the  diversity  of  sentiment 
still  existing  among  its  own  disciples,  too  unsettled 
in  its  principles,  to  warrant  the  exultation  of  vic- 
tory. All  past  experience,  derived  from  a  careful 
inspection  of  tlie  monuments  of  antiquity,  an  at- 
tentive regard  to  the  voice  of  history,  an  exact 
comparison  of  prediction  with  existing  evidence 
of  its  fulfilment,  from  the  gradual  developments 
of  natural  science,  and  in  particular,  from  the  more 
recent  and  striking  discoveries  of  astronomy  ;  all 
experience  admonishes  the  unbeliever  on  the  dae 
hand,  to  beware  of  a  premature  boast,  and  the 
Christian  on  the  other,  to  forego  his  needless  and 
unbecoming  fears.  We  freely  adopt  the  sentiments 


t 


4 


^' 


I- 


\. 


:'    "'■**"'«' on  Ai,  3„b  - 

P"«ue  bis  researches  i„T„     ^'  "'"'  G^o'ogis. 

*« science.    We  woSfn       '""'"^•"»'"'' -P 
.'••"forbearan,,,  ^j;^°";<»^«  cause  by  craving  , 
"^pounded  will  befounrfV?  *"^'  '"'"'"'  '""^ 

™«'  '-'-pages  »e  find  ^  ""  '  '"''■  ^»  "«  P- 
"««  S7».en,.  and  in.pi:":  .f "  fading  L 
"y-me^yand  grandeT^f, '"*«'"'<>'« fabric iu, 
"""ought  into  its  ven,  'Jl         Z"'"^"  '*«»'<' 

"'^"^  and  be4.    In  2'         ' ''  "°'  '"^  »«™ 
'^-X^  Corf,  the  (La.„  tr":"'  ""o".  «  «pr.. 
7-eign,  »<,„asa™;^^.?''^'"''"''  "gh'eous 
of-'oralgo.ernn.ent.!!^^'"'*  "»"  "^o  '"bject    " 
'^'  •'«  >ie  pe«o„  of  h;!^""°"'"=''«  <"''»««, 
S'^'^'-g.    And  under  thae^'*"""""''"''™'^ 
^'"^f^mghad  seenfittr      "^  "'"'='"'■«*- 
«»teW.sh  for  the  racelZ  k"  '"'^'"'  *'«'<»»  '» 
"«•--.  became  g„  ,;""'  "^  "" ""  "'  ""»  «'« 
opposed  to  the  pe„1u  s^' '"^  '"  f  ^.f  gen^ahons 
;f  -Wch  weref..,^;"^-  "^'"oW,  the^er^s 

--'■'- --^i^'t^tS 


'  ':V .  ^ 


•^ 

-V:' 


-w^'|y<«''^^n 


Geologist' 
"ephiiosQ. 
^  and  mod- 


buiid 


tip 


n  his  toiJ: 
•y  craving  «.- 
gs,butas    * 
'ce  truly     .^ 


^  accord 

I  R£9[£. 

wepe- 
ing  the 
brie  its 
thread 

with- 
entire 
eprd^ 

teous 
hject 

IWS; 

ans- 
di. 
to 

Irst 

>ns 

ns 

is        '^ 

1- 


.\ 


*. 


■•■       •  :       13      ,  .   ^ 

veys  to  the  mind  the  sentence  of  complicated  woe. 
We  behove  it  includes,  in  intention  and  effect,  the  , 
loss  of  divine  favor,  exposure  to  the  various  ills  of 
the  present  hfe  and  to  death  itself,  exclusion  ^om 
heaven,  condemnation  to  hell.  Whatever  man 
actually  suffers  in  the  present  world,  or  may  be  ^ 

«  exposed  to  suffer  hereafter,  comes  upon  him,  not    — ^ 

certainly  as  an  innocent  being,  under  the  admin-*         4       -r 

istration  of  a  righteous  moral  governor j  hut  as  a 

consequence  of  sin.    And  in  this  viewr  it  may  be 

regarded  as  included  in  tlie  original  penalty,  if  not 

specifically  yet  by  necessary  implication.    More^  ,   ]  4 

over  this  evil  is  of  universal  extent :  « the  whole 

world  has  become  guilty  iliefore  God.**    Each  of  -r 

the  posterity  of  Adam,  by  Reason  of  his  connection 
with  that  federal  head,  is  Ijiable,  according  to  the 
original  constitution,  to  endure  the  full  penalty, , 
unless  "one  greater  man  restoi^  us,  fmd  regain 
the  blissful  seat."  ^     j 

Here  then  is  the  obvious  starting  point.  It 
is  this  great  fact,  that  at  oiice  creates  a  necessity 
for  divine  interposition,  anjd  shows  its  propriety, 
if  any  of  the  fallen  race  is  ti  be  saved :  that  mercy 
and  truth,  compassion  most  ijender,  and  justice  unsul- 
lied, inflexible,  may  be  harnponized  and  illustrated 
in  such  an  act:  that  God!  may  get  glory  to  his 
holy  name  in  the  salvatioii  of  rebels.  And  that 
religious  creed  or  personal  experience  that  does 
not  commence  with  a  clear  recognition  of.  our 


^^■JSA^^ 


<•    .    -V; 


,   '* 


'     >      "IT*-* 


.,'e 


'   ■    (■ 


!   ; 


iW    i^ 


<■'<* 


r 


•"•oad  basis  of  redemptioTl         '''"''  ''  «'  'he 
«»<«<»  judgment,  fi^r^  ."7"  "'•'"'•^'  "  <»" 
;<"'«'"alioD,   and   froJ  d'  '^'^""<^  ^y  all 

;^^-J.^^hisb,ood,a„:;       ^'''f  ^--  ChWs. 

:     ;'^^  to  pWh  for  «,e  f,'^  "  f  ■««  <o  his  As- 

heV    a^ereisaren nr,7''°"«'''''.opeof 

•    ;*^  "io'e  edifice,  and  b^  "^' """-P  f>-o«sh 
.  ^7  "■«  Gospel  distinerL"  •'°":"  '">»>-- 
:      "^als  the  re„,d       I.  iKr'""'^ '■'"'« and re- 

!      P'-vided  b^  ,fc« coft.pa^i'"  ":  ""^-f  «iegn,ty. 

, '     f«'ga,  yet  himself  volZ?,      ""^  -"f^-xied  sov- 

*-    'Mwondei:nt^;"''^'*''''»^«i.eof. 

«d.obec„m;<t2r!7.  a«d  was  thus 
^l^es.  in  «.,,g3  pe„^:,7;;J' ^''  faithful  High 
«'''ae.o„  for  ,h,  ,;    -^     S  'o  God,  to  make  recon- 
«=<=' •'"ion  of  the  ,,o  „J^/7'«-r  By  the  pe,. 
Pothi^e  with  both  pa^'tt       '""*  ''•'"y  ^y*- 

\<"j''gni.ysuffioie„t,oi    "^;  »"*«  """^^g  ''•^ 
5^  and  mo«,  g^„,,„^  to  hnr"*""'""'^'^«»'. 

obedience  „mo  d^ath,  ..t   *  "^^  "«•'«.  by  W 
"»iei.  honorable*    His  1; o^"^  "■*  '««  and 

«■»  Wood  ,s  set  forth  as  an 


/ 


1 

i 


•f 


/■       • 


^ljafs;s^fr'w:^'7~''!5aar 


C 


^tensormod- 
ce  it  as  the 

rmed  by  all 
'«ff.      It  ia 
'«"s  Christ 
to  his  is- 
™<*  hope  of 
oundation 

P/hrough 

/•uins.-, 
it  and  re- 
gion and 
e  guiJtjr, 
ed  sov- 
fthe  of- 
linhia 
IS  thus 
iHigh 
recon- 
eper- 

sym- 
idse- 
:  was 
aess, 
light 

his 
and 

an  / 


i 


,-    15  ■  V    ■-: 

.   -   ^  •.      ■     ■._     .  _  ,.    .   .     A,         ■-. 

appropriate  and  available  satisfaction  :  it  cleanses 
from  all  sin  :  so  that  "he  th^t  believeth  on  the  Son 
hath  life."  Regarding  simplj^  what  he  has  done  as 
thfe  surety  of  the  New  Covenant,  divine  goodness 
proclaims  the  thrilling  'tidings,  wKjch  revive  hope 
in  the  d^pairing  heart,  and  fill  tK^  world  with 
gladness,  that  now  "God  can  b^  just  and  the  jus- 
4fier  of  him  that  believeth  in  Jesus."  'the  Gosi 
pel  then  is  all  of  grace,  and  ^t  is  all  glorious.  I^ 
not  only  announces,  but  .it  provides  a  Substitute : 
it  not  simply  offer's  pardon,  but  it  clothes  with  a 
righteousness:  it  not  merely  repairs  the.  ruins  of 
the  apostacy,  but  elevates  to  higher  dignity,  to 
nearer  communion,  to  more  rapturous  bliss.  It  is 
•adapted  to  bring  heaven  and  earth  again  into  union  z 
to  renew  the  interrupted  song,  begun  at  the  birth 
of  Creation,  when  exulting  in  its  light  and  harmo- 
ny, "the  morning  stars  sang  together  and  all  the 
sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy  :"  to  raise  tli^  anthem, 
which  commenced  by  angels  before  the  throne,  and 
responded  by  nJsh,  shall  be  taken  up  by  all  crea- 
heaveik  and  on  earth,  and  re-echoed' 
:ne  wide  dominions  of  our  King,  and  rolled 
on  forever,  « 'Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  to  men."  And  this  doctrine  of 
representative  substitution,  and  of  necessity,  impu- 
tation, we  believe  to  be  the  burden  of  that  song, 
to  pervade  the  entire  Bible,  and  from  the  begin- 
ning  to  have  marked  all  the  divine  dealings  with 


/ 


N       ' 


tiires  in 
through  t 


U 


/■     • 


'\ 


!  , 


16 


;h 


I 


i 


f  c 


1>e  race  of  man.'  We.     ■   •  '^      ** 

">«  ancient  dispensation .  ir'rf™'' "'"''' °'' 
'■ar  mstitationa  which  thin  ''  *'" "■«  P<":«- 

i-^J-^estandbieX    ,/m"f''^^ 

U™  and  Th„n,™i„7hrn       " '" ""^ "'« "•« 

'*-Ne»Tesuin,er'ald  J"?'""'*''''  "^"''"S  "^ 
•he  »eheme„f  divine  ,wr  ''*^"'*  '*«"'g'«"'t 
V   ^-'"''P*'' it  to  . he  Cld  "■'•"'«- '"'^•ie- 

'  *'"*'•«'«  e«cnded 'territorv 
v««aries.    Indeed  wh™         ^^'"'"'"'""'yad- 

*    "^  '-fi.'eli.y.  aJn,03rS,7::'?''°'""«™"'«' 
■»««'.  Stand  more  or  less  d7«-     ,       "'  """^  »« 

»"«  or  other  of*  ,he  pZl^^''  ""'"'«^''  """ 
have  now  .j,,- ^  P^™»««  Po.nts  ^o  which  we 

«'-p«.po«ndinga„,^<^;"'^^God.  fe.,^ 

•»««  iimself  into  p„ri^  "f  "'"«'"'«  may  vindi- 
<"  ^durance  ma/^^L  .  V""^ '"««  "^  daring 
'«a«,erepensio„'^,'^rsovi   ''"•'■'  '^''''''''''■™ 

"•"y^",'.  Purpose  tlZTr'^T-  "''-- 
7».-  "d  Stain  all  the  Sir  ?''"■""'*»'• 
Aga-nst  such  a  determination  th  """  ^'^-y- 

versaily  rebels.    And  if  !h   r    .    "'""^ ''««"  ""i- 
"«  <»%  -P-diafed    h'c^S-f  -  -y  not       " 
violating  their  fair  ^ndZf^       '""«  "^""'"e  i„ 
•"onsmaybeuigedl^w    "'^P""'"''''-    Objec 
'-n"  «»«' ingenuity  r;'~'"^«"'-».  «"<- 

"'^'««-<'«".ejiZ:jt'":'r"''<"'«'e 

/«es,  aswe  are  con- 


I 


-  .,  ;»!>»' 3# 


me  work  of 
^  the  pecu- 
litheoffer- 
^^  eye  the 
writing  of 
'iroughout 
s  have  de- 

manj  ad- 
«  grouncJ 
rrors  we 
»ted  with 
'hich  We 
Jnted,  is 
^t  leaves 
Instead 
r  vindi- 
daring: 
its  him 
esees 
es8  of 
?Ioiy. 
^  uni- 
y  not 
se  in 
bjee- 
crit- 
the 
!on- 


\ 


17 


strained  tq  believe,  in  the  grand  principles  them- 
selves, most  repugnant  as  they  are  to  the  unhum- 
bled  mind.  The  substitute  therefore,  will  surely  be 
so  moulded  as  to  spare  the  dignity  of  man,  and  to 
constitute  him  in  whole  or  in  part  the  author  of 
his  own  salvation.  Either  it  will  command  asce- 
tic observances,  really  though  not  avowedly  in  the 

room  of  Christ  and  him  crucified,  as  Popery  : 

or  it  will  be  presented  in  the  form  of  self-righte- 
ous morality ;  or  the  same  spirit  will  be  embodied 
in  a  creed,  as  in  Socenianism  and  modern  Unitari- 
anism ;  or  it  will  assail  the  holiness  and  justice  of  th,e 
Most  High,  and  lightly  represent  the  evil  of  sin,  as 
Universalism  :  or  finally,  it  will  annul  the  sanctity 
of  law,  under  the  AntJnomian  plea  of  exalting  free 
grace.      These,  broadly  professed  or  variously 
modified  and  blended,  are  in  turn  presented  to 
view.    But  our  umpire  is  the  simple  revelation  ;5 
"To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony."     "What' 
s.aith  the  word  of  the  Lord,"  in  its  plaip  and  un- 
distorted  reading,  is  the  touchstpne,  and  we  may 
add,  the  refutation. 

3.  We  remark  again,  that  the  Gospel  is  cha- 
racterized as  A   PURIFYING   ELEMENT  J    SUch  is  itS 

tendency  and  design.  In  inseparable  connection 
T^ith  exposui^e  to  the  infliction  of  wrath,  and  as  the 
reason,' is  our  depravity;  the  universal  and  entire 
corruption  of  each  of  the  race.  To  every  child  of 
Adam  it  attaches  ^an  original  taint ;  nnd  ever. 


V, 


r 
I 


,    -?5g"l"lFSy*npJP'' 


w»*g^g«m^^j 


18 
in  all  fbm,s  of  social  or  civil  c.is,o„co,  m,de,  all 

Mould  a^d„fi!"'j  '"''•"T   '"  ^'■""«--- 
V,  "'  ^'"^  *'"'  restrain  bv  ihp ' 

presence  ^,au.hori.,  or  the  proprieties  of  co'v  „ 

™..as.cende,a„,.d.;:Ltj':s:;::: 

i    Tr'"'  "'W;^---  Pver  the  nlJer! 
uisteadof  the  predominance  of  reSognized  obli 
ga.onand,„pre„,el„veLGod,selfis1.      s/a^t 
,  ens  the  understanding,  inflames  the  passions,  vt- 
ates  the  senfraents,  and  pollutes  the  soul.    A„d  if 
«  may  not  disclose  its  extreme  deformity  i„  all  re 

fe^nsor^may  he  often  guilded^ith  a^airtr- 
"Or,  yet  the  perversion  has  taken  nl»n»  .1, 
exists  and  is  radical  **«»  Ptecc,  the  ev,l 

can  1.  ^  """""'  '"'"^l"*'*''  ••<«  "'at  which 

can  produce  an  entire  moral  renovation     Th 

thowereilluminationofthemindr.  .■  ' 
of  taste  o,  h„,,,  philosophy  SlT''™'"" 
cinnot  m.    But  this  th..  rl    T  ?'^'  *"'' 

-".ousandrecidt^rfr:::::''* 

--ce^ponT^^rirsiS::;  ' 


under  all 
™  the  first 
>d  unsub- 
nrulencc. 
in  by  the ' 
r  conven- 
nd  adorn 
It  which 
r  econo- 

powers 
nobler : 
3d  obli- 
3s  dark- 
ns,  viti- 

And  if 
I  all  re- 
r  exte-  • 
le  evil 

>priate 
which 
This, 
k^ation 
h  and 
id  in 
age, 
the 

arid  , 
win 


19 

Christ  Jesus."  In  this  process,  he  forms  no  new 
powers  or^  faculties,  nor  yet  does  he  act  by  mere 
moral  suasion.  Hut  he  enlightens,  elevates,  puri- 
fies  and  directs  the  soul  '^  ho  implants  a  new  and 
holy  affection,  which  in  its  growth  and  expansion 
will-  subvert  every  other,  and  lead  the  heart  to  de- 
light itself  in  God,  and  to  render  an  unconstrained 
and  cordial  service  :  and  then  "  that  which  is  born 
of  the  Spirit,  is  spirit."  But  farther j  whatever^ 
"may  be  affirmed  of  the  first  step  in  this  process,  of 
the  first  holy  volition  and  exercise,  the  work  in  all 
subsequent  stages,  is  certainly  acconiplishedi  by 
means :  means  still  rendered  effectual  by  the  m- 
working  of  the  same  divine  agent,  and  the  Gospel 
becomes  the  instrument.  It  were  indeed  an  inter- 
esting, and  far  from  being  an  unprofitable  or  un- 
promising speculation,  to  trace  out  the  connection 
subsisting  between  the  instrumentality  employed,' 
"and  the  results  produced :  to  develope  the  influ-  '  ^ 
ence  which,  in  accordiance  with  the  laws  of  our 
minds,  the  Gospel  by  its  peculiar  doctrines,  its 
holy  precepts,  its  reviving  promises,  and  its  wide 
reaching  hopes,  is  adapted  to  exert  ovei  a  renewed 
and  prepared  heart.  In  the  light  of  a  sanctified 
philosophy,  we  should  observe  a  beautiful  coinci- 
dence between  the  influence  and  effect:  it  might 
I  be  seen,  how  the  fact  we  often  witness  transpires/ 
and  th^  soul  that  is  submitted  to  these  divine  lead-  ^ 
ings  becomes  "changed  into  the  image  of  Christ, 


'  '  h 


j-<'  iwj.f  ^ 


i- 


V 


'I- 


4 


rvf 


I     J- 


20     ■     ^%iii     :if'-  ^ 


«.,r„* 


frcnn  gl6ry  to  fflorv  •"—«/..   *l        ^ 

P  ea  ail  that  ,s  pu^  s„ ^  ^^^ 

"" '"  "yw^"*'  of  light  and  love  shailllP^    ^ 
ner  saved  by  crace      W  ;i      T'-  ^f    ^'™**'*' » 
■        Bible  and  the  s2v         '  '""''.  f  P''"'«»P''f  l-e 

'4w.h:eo™'::X'rt"'"^''''- 

.^««al  from  iia  tntelje  rhis  JT""  """"'''- 
in  life,J4|enova.P,i  k  relations  and  duties^ 

effectCTn  °  2  ,"""«•    ^"•'  ««'=''  change  thus 

»"™„ndi„g  gfe„„,  ,„  agent  of  !l  .     ^"^  '™''^'  • 
'»  the  sphere  he  occupief  tI  r"''"'™^ 

?nd  institwions  of  the  Go's  J-    ^"^  """"P'^' \ 

varioiiD  w«n.  .  jHrMl  Sy^We  over  the      i 

various  ^arlments,  of  the!aM6Ml.i  ,:..:„;!!^"  >  » 
shamingm  vices  andresJHRI^        *^ '        ^ 
'^corruptase  anrf  !,.»  •      •■™«lt  »  manners  of  a 

■«  the  gr^d  sT^-     ''^"'«"''^«»; ''  '«veals  itself 

<i^^s.ti  tr;^^*' •''•'-"'''•''-  ■ 

»  "  '®  ''^aeed  most  strangely  at 


\ 


•! 


L  ■_.,  \  „ 


V- 


m 

■     2 

.* 

* 

p 

i 

\; 

ft 

:. 

; 

i     .     ~ 

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r 

\ 

'■ 

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4 

. 

t 

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- 

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i 

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I 

,-i^^_X 

m 

ii 

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>            1 

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m 

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m 

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> 

■(■*! 


^ 


advances  in 
'  the  polJu- 

this  eart 
5hal]  be 
^e  umvi 


•sophy  the 


..does  the 
'g  power 
the  indi- 
nd  duties  ' 
nge  thus 
the  gen- 
has  im- 
?  amidst 
p  active 
Jnciples  ^ 
I  sileiit,   \  J 
^^e'ltJie,  i 

iFsofa 
a  God 
Bowed 
5  itself 
rerof 

h  at 


T-- 


V 


21 


-1 


times,  on  the  score  of  its  moral  influence  and  ef- 
fects..  Yet  only  because  of  the  ignorance  ofmind 
and  alienation  of  heart,  the  sins  and  follies  it  re- 
proves, but  which  men  will  not  forsake.  Against 
every  sudi  charge,  however,  we  may  promllypoint, 
as  did  the  Christian  apologists  of  the  primitive 
church,  to  its  observed  effects  and  blissful  fruits. 
The  defeat  of  es^ejT  enemy  an^/€vcry^rival  is  sure, 
by  simply  conj()Uring^or-niliier  contrasting  ils  tro- 
phies, with  the  moral  results  of  every  other  system 
the  world  has  beheW.  Or,  in  better  conformity 
with  its  spirit,  we  only  ask  the  Hieins  and  opportu- 
nity  to  pour  forth  its  light  and  spread  abroad  its 
energies,  until  its  converts  shall  be  scaled'  in  every 
land,  and  all  people  shall  walk  in  the  law  of  the 
Lord.  The  world  shall  then  confess  its  beneficent 
sway.  -^  '■   \  ■  -•    .  ''^  -  %,^ 

I  feel  that  I  have  occupied  by  much  too  large  a 
space,  with  what  must  of  necessity  be  but  a  very 
concise  and  imperfect  sketch.  These,  however, . 
we  conceive  to  be  the  great  features  of  the  Gospel : 
these  peculiar  doctrines  lie  at  the  foundation  of 
divin«  revelation,  and  with  their  connected  and  de- 
pendant truths  form  one  perfect  system,  distinct 
from  all  that  man  had  ever  devised,  r,efulgent  with  ^ 
the  beauty  of  hohnesS,  adapted  both  to  maintain 
the  honor  of  God  the  sovereign^  and  to  secure  par- 
don, peace,  life,  and  hope  to  the  rebellious.    And. 


n 


-ar 


W^  . 


/A 


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■  \  - 
\ 
■\ 

»■    :,.        ■ 

\ 

•      ^ 

f 

1  v.-  -     1 . 

t 

"♦ 

■w  ■■ 

-::::: — ~> — 

': 

¥ 

.*  ■ 

,  '» 

;:  ■•.■ 

■■ 

•  -■,-r,-      ■--'"., 

' 

1 

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'■.,   •   ■■ 

*     ■ 

.'. 

\     y 

• 

4U--       n: 

■■■.•.' 

:.    \    V: 

■■•■  t 

'       . 

•■1 

tfttjiniit-f-O-^^    i...-. 

■   T 

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■'       'v/ 


« .':;'  ■ 


22 


V;^       herein,  the  righteousness  of  CnA  • 
•     .^^ith..Iproclthere^'''°'^^'^^-^«'^^o 

^J-    To    ENQUIRE    WHAT    QUALIF,^.^; 
PKOPER  BEFEXCE    OP    THE    GO.PP  '     """^ 

-«.a.,«Es.  idon^iir;;:::'^---- 

ra  powero  nrfk  *        .  ,       ^® '®  ^'^ose  supernatu- 

-       «"yec,  which  Lerir    ;"'"''■'  '"""' 
■ 'n 'he  earty  period,  orrch^r  "^ ''^''''•"«<' 

<■»  the  world     BuTi^T"  """s'™  "  <=>™ncy 

'-^^^'^^''^<,^::!^^'-'^ 

miraculous  claims,  ih^  cause  1         7"*  "'"  "" 
-en,s  now  ,o  demand  Che  ™°r;  "*  T  """' 

e«  of  divine  truth.    Of  these  i     7        '*"*' 
order, '  **  ^  *'«  mention  in 

has  decided  with  e.den.tl:  Jrr""^ 

'  functions  should  otiW  h       .  ^  ®^^'«<^ 

-  educated  i"^  he  entrusted  to  the  hands  of 

^%hr:£r:xrffS "" 

ted,  which  was  thL  fi    *  *  Goderec- 

-h  n  thrsrictt         """  "^"""-out  fathers, 

sWctly  correct  kstT    ^'"'' ^  «•'»''  I  am 

of  cerlinH  l'*"^'  "■"' '»  ""«  ^'ahlishmem 

'"ly  all  the  older  colleges,  this  was  ex. 


P 


lfS™"""^i^^^V^'ff'°'n'^ 


iJW>. i/«a^.4i«i.  At/   I- 


r"*^ 


5vealed  to 

ONS    THE 
SUPPOSES 

ipernatu- 
•mpanied 
1  to  the 
ixhibited 
to  attest    . 
urrency 

mental 
e  of  aJi 
0  men, 

teach- 
lion  in 

MIHTD, 

Ltions, 
acred 
ids  of 
!  uni- 
Barn- 
had 
rec- 
lers, 
jhtst; 
am 
ent 
ex- 


.23     ;     ■  .» 

pressly  mentioned  as  one  of  the  most  prominent 
objects ;  to  raise  up  a  learned  and  able  ministry 
for  the  churches.  The  same  spirit  has  prompted 
the  erection  of  theological  seminaries  in  addition 
to  our  colleges,  that  so,  the  facilities  for  thorough 
systematic  instruction  might  be  increased,  and  the 
end  more  perfectly  secured.  In  this  respect  they 
have  acted  in  entire  accordance  with  the  spirit  and 
injunctions  of  scripture,  and  with  the  obvious  ne- 
cessities of  the  case  also,  if  ministers  are  required 
to  interpret,  or  even  to  understand,  the  language 
and  intent  of  the  sacred  writings.  It  were  pre- 
p|iterous  to  imagine  one  qualified  to  expound  an 
instrument,  he'  is  not  even  capable  of  reading. 
He  must,  therefore,  at  the  very  least,  possess  lite- 
rature sufficient  for  this  purpose ;  and  he  must  have 
mental  discipline  sufficient,  to  enable  him  to  com- 
prehend the  import  and  relations  of  the  doctrine 
he  there  discovers,  and  to  appreciate  and  arrange 
the  arguments  by  which  it  is  illustrated  and  sus- 
tained.— But,  speaking  still  of  what  is  immediate- 
ly connected  with  his  profession,  he  must  be  able 
to  do  something  more ;  or  he  will  be  but  poorly 
qualified  « rightly  to  divid^  the  word  of  truth," 
"  bringing  forth  things  new  and  old,"  and  will  dis- 
play very  little  skill  and  fitness  for  the  high  func- 
tions with  which  he  is  clothed*  For,  as  may  be 
perceived  from  the  rapid  glance  wa.  have  already 
taken,  the  grand  theme  is  intimately  related  to 


-:*', 


:,M 


.     -::'      ■■■;  24  ■ 

"">re  or  ,ess  i^pona^t The  erut'""'  "^''''' 

"""n^jec.    VVi,hu.e,ehe„Jr  "'  '^' 

^"'0  familiar,  or  he  ,.,«  „«,  b.  '"  """'  "'™- 

own  domain ,  di.„ifiprf      !        "  '^"^Set  in  his 

•'-P'endors;  il!  ;'"""*• ''"'"■vested of 

'ogativea,  hu,  «.torl/„„ableT  T'-"'  ''"  ^'^ 
resources  by  which  *h  ""l^y  'hose  ri«h£i 

P'-ive.    lfia^:lf!:  S'-'leur  becomes Jf 

thattheoiogyisa:  nfrT"''''!"^^^' 
--«»iM,„a,i,ca  j;rd:s;S'''°''- 

inereisnotone  of  the    '    ,         ^  *"«""neiit. 

'i'ely  claims  the  faculties  of       *'"'''" '"P"'''- 
«a"ding;  and  more  V„,,;  J,  7>^«"«''«  "»<<-- 

'"i-giike  justice.    ItaffSlt'*"''''''-' 

most  acute  penetratinn  ,.™^  **"?'«  «<:ope  for  the 

"•o^t  briiham  1™;^  t"''™''"*J"''S»»Mhe 

»'»"  that  can  thinic.  I    eartlT'  """"'""  ="- 

»-«  and  p„,^,v„4  bete  1     7  '^°"  '"^'^ 

P-'^'hesadmisconVrofth         "•   ^""^ 
'hose,  who  can  ,„„  frC^  !"'«  "'ogance  of 

<<- ''-notion  that  ittl7;»'^*^''-.«n. 

scribed  for  their  exalted  °T  ''"°'"=''<='«»- 

»-p-king,,a::it;o;or'7'"'"-  ^» 

mine  office."  *'" "°?  "«'<''''y "  magnify         ^ 

B"'  I  stop  not  here  —It  .ii 

-^' '"0  pulpit,  a,  .W  day  irr."""'''"''^ 

''--g  which  classical  irelirit""''''''^  ^ 

*uiu  elegant  literature  and 


A  I*' t*4t«.'<^-.S*  ij 


r(VA.» 


•f      ,«r—       f 


<ffr'i ' 


y 


ation,  and 
ral  topics, 
on  of  the 
ome  mea- 
fer  in  his 
'vested  of 
his  pre-, 
ose  ricJi^ 


niesjini:.%. 
sup^i^ 
lerpow- 
inment. 
nipera- 
under- 
\i  any 
'or  the 
nt,  the 
n: — ^a 
itself 
Indl 
!e  of 
)  un- 
;um- 
In 
nify 

nay 

the  '~ 
md 


■  •■■■•  ■  -25    ■..; 

modern  science  will  give  :  at  thie  least,  acquisitions 
of  the  kind  as  extensive,  as  time  not  imperatively 
demanded  by  superior  duty,  will  admit.  We  can- 
not  look  with  indifference  upon  the  vcrymarked 
aspect  of  the  times :  and  no  attentive  observer 
can  have  failed  to  perceive  an  unwonted  activity 
of  thought,  and  an  unusual  spread  of  information. 
This  is  true  both  in  regard  to  religious  and  secular 
subjects.  Learning  has  unlocked  her  stores,  whidi 
have  hitherto  been  reserved  for  the  favored  few, 
and  is  diffusing  widely  her  treasures  among  all 
classes  of  the  community.  Causes  also  are  di- 
rectly at  work  upon  the  general  mind,  which  if 
they  do  not  tend  to  elevate  the  tone  of  ministerial 
performance,  and  forbid  meu  to  venture  before  the 
public  with  undigested,  extemporaneous  effusions, 
may  operate  with  a  large  mass,  to  bring  the  art  of 
preaching,  and  by  consequence,  ministerial  stand- 
ing itself,  into  contempt.  I  allude  particularly  to 
the  plan  of  popular  lectures ;  very  many  of  them, 
the  able  and  elegant  productions  of  finished  scho- 
larshiflf  It  is  not  possible  these  should  exert  no 
influence.  The  public  taste  at  once  excited  and 
gratified  by  such  exhibitions,  the  public  mind  in-^ 
terested  and  instructed,  will  naturally  look,  that  in 
that  other  and  nobler  department  of  popular  elo- 
quence, the  ^sacred  desk,  something  similar  in 
mode  shall  appear.  And  the  preacher  must  be 
qualified,  in,Bome  measure,  to  meet  the  demand,  if 


,x; 


■i 


•■1' 


'  E tT,  ""^^T^^^P^f?"^' 


P^^^ 


§ 


26 


'■■•■'      h  1  ■  ^  '  ■         ' 

.       fo"-  wha.  isLak  and  Itj^'"" '""'"""  "'™e 

«"■«'  «o  be,  ,1;  :  '^  f„  ;-  "as  been,  as  ,,  !' 

-  Even  profane  ifc,"  J,'"  "■"  '"''^  <"■  'earning. 

-  ''»P'-eandi.s&e  :r 

««  spoils  of  tl,e  heate  """'•    '"'"'  "«'- 

:  P'»^-n.fi.™«,es^^^^^ 

••■ought,  variety  ,o  i„„3,ra,L„'  2    ""'^  "««'  '° 
"ea-'y  ta  e.vpression  •  ^r'^'       ""  S^''^'"''' 

;"e  pr,aeher,vi.h  a  LleW    "''''"'•"-'« 
f^u'ties  and  emotion,  of  th"       T*"'^  "'''  "■" 

'y  »e«od  and  reride«7ir''  ""^  "^  '''*'■'"- 
"»'  of  the  Gospel  ^  •"  *"  "d^nce- 

knowledge,  as  if  j,,  !."^:    ""«  ^  doify  human 
"-•J' 'o  smooth    r^!:';7- »"  the  world       . 
"»"gO'»-    I  am  ve^ftfr     """"«'' ""^horate 

-  «■«  great  thingXi^"  ^*"""''^'  "««  «". 

°f  ■"»<! :  or  that  the  e^rf     ''!'''•  "  ■"•""■•■.ation 

-'-  or  teacher  of  refe'n      '"'"'^  '"'"  "■«  ■»'»- 

The  church"  and  .hrJorid'h""?'""''''^™""^- 

-«h  unsanctified  learniS     v"?  ''*  '^'"'  ""^^ 

'='^"'g  "o». hat  ac  I; /:::"«"•-- <ie- 

™'  •    or  regardmg  if   in 


.'  •*  . 


Hd 


/* 


any  other  light  than  as  al  most  valuable  element  in 
social  life,  doubly  valuable  when  found  Hn  beau- 
tiful alliance  with  true  piety,  valuable,  indispen- 
sable to  the  full  endowment  of  the  man  of  God. 
Let  it  remain  to  all  coming  time  as  the  maxim  of 
one  church,  and  that  the  most  superstitious,  of  one 
period  of  history,  and  that4he  darkest,  that  igno- 
rance is  the  mother  of  devotion.  But  the  reformed 
church,  can  never  contemplate  her  past  success, 
united  with  the  rSpid  advancement  of  knowl- 
edge in  all  its  branches,  and  yet  attempt  to  di- 
vorce religion  from  secular  and  even  elegant  learn- 
ing ;  as  if  they  were  employed  in  a  separate  work, 
and  were  necessarily  hostile  in  their  aims;  They 
have  become  too  nearly  related,  and  owe  too  much 
the  one  to  the  other,  and  the  world  is  too  much 
indebted  to  their  union,  for  a  moment  to  admit  the 
idea. 

3.  Discrimination  of  mind  is  also  necessary  : 
justness  of  thought,  ability  and  accuracy  in  per- 
ceiving and  disclosing  weighty  truths  in  their  <ipn- 
nections  and  results,  and  in  distinguishing  and  s^p^  ^ 
arating  things  that  differr    A  portion  of  this  qual- 
ity is  plainly  requisite,  to  ensure  a  methodical  aiv 
rangement  and  clear  conception  of  any  subject  i 
but  eminently  is  it  desirable  in   sacred  science.  \ 
For  it  should  be  remembered,  that  the  great  themes  \ 
with  which  the  preacher  or  teacher  of  divine 
things  is  conversant,  above  all  other  subjects  of 


:%• 


yt^-'^ti-^  '   li^XiJt       M,  *  ^W*,"!,'  *  M 


7  '       .' 


28      '    ■ 

though,  o,>e,earch,.«  high  .„,..  ° 

so'enii.  in  their  issues  •  ,h»f  1     ""  '••"«  "d 
volve  are  profound       .  ™  «*•:  Pri-ciples  they  i„. 

;         "">-'»«<>-  .he/sustotr"'"  '"  '""•'  '««•>. 
«»« inculcations  of  gte^al!  """  '"""'T'  "M-J  'o  ^ 
-;.  ««ed,and,  tha,  the/Cl    T- '''■'^''  'ompli- 
VPatient  unfolding  and  dSi„'?.  """«"'«<"'.  den,a„d " 
'«»  require  i„^ega?totV''~«i'io».    No^js 
l*o».men,  doctrines  ^1'°*"  T"''  '»<'  «■« 
"«  emer  the  departmemo?"' """'^  "^  ™<=When  . 

morements  of  the  intelle<=7  *         *''*'"*^''  «««    ' 
>«-«.theope„tion^^^"^':^!''«-7'>-of.he 

-  --view;  ^,.  i;  ;ni--*-g*t 

Chnshan  charactered  a„»-        '**™"«>».  or 
«=en.edo„Iyby,,^^7  •"'•'•"'ent,  can  be  dis. 

*-  «ord  of  (L.    Yet  :  '^T"  °'  *«^  «'«• 
.*«-"iti».o  sJ^^^'-^-'^tl^ko. 

•^  ««  analyze  and  describeTt       !■?"•"  '""*•  »<> 
="",freq«ent(y,  to  distT^!^  '""' *°»  ve,y  diffi. 

«°- from  oth^,,.  „;f,^2     -*'='''"  »'■-'»<'- 
«*«'>  «oral  ch^^^'':^''^^  ''i'Wy  diverse  in      ' 

.»aywearitssemblance"A„7i!'*"''''"'^"'"»n         ' 
"«««  <»f  caution  a« t;  dt''.'"''"'"^^'"^  •"<•«.« 
»■«' «  to  be  forTd  °L  'T""^*  """^  a  j„dg. 
therVstate.  when  2  !!^    ^  ""'  °'^''  ""'  of  anl 


A.!, 


Or 


S'.TSW* 


■  i 


y 


'V_"- 


,H      „    . 


^-N 


29 


cious  from  the  vile." — Moreoveir,  we  are  compelled 
to  regard  oiir  vocation,  as  for  a  large  part  polemic*, . 
ks  well  as  didactic :  we  are  not  only  to  teach  but 
to  defend  the  truth,  if  we  would  make  full  proof  of 
fiur  ministry.  This  necessity  arises  from  several 
causes,  and  in  relation  to  Various  classes  of  dispu-  r^V 
tants;  the  learned  and  the*  unlearned,  the  profes- 
sed disciple  and  the  open  rejector  of  revelation  ; 
him  whp  boldly  assaults,  and  him  who  undermines 
the  citadel  of  our  hopes.  While  modesty  and 
candor|projnpt  the  admission,  that  the  doubt  is  in 
some  instances  honest  and  claims  respect,  jthe~idi- 
versity  of  sentiment  conscientious,  presenting  oc- 
casion for  the  exercise -of  Christian  forbearance, 
yet  even  that  charity  which  "hopeth  all  things,'' 
will  not  allow  us  to  refer  the  larger  part  of  the  evil 
to  a  source  so  innocent.  The  pride  and  rebellion 
of  the  heart,  and  a  philosophy  the  offspring  and 
the  flatterer  of  that  pride,  ofiended  by  the  repro- 
ving majesty  of  holy  truth,  have  ever  been  forward 
to  sully  its  purity  and  change  its  glory  into  that 

which  cannot  profit.  The  Christian  student  is  pain- 

"...  . '  ■'■*(' 

ed  to  observe,  that  almost  every  system-of  mental 
or  ethical  Philosophy  hitherto  given  to  the  world 
has  been  of  this  description,  at  least  by  refusing  to 
treat  of  man  as  a  sinful  and  depraved  being. — 
Hence  then,  the' strange  dognias,  the  inconsistent, 
clashing  systems,  tile  endless  "  perverse  disputings 
of  men  of  corrupt  minds,'^  with  which  the  Chris-, 


^'•lMib.iMi>  ■ 


R>f 


,-"*3'.  and  a  liberal  ,nf„2„    /   "'"'"''4 
'y  «o  called,-.  i„(o  ,1"  °^  "  Phi'osophl 

^P'-conceived  no«„™et  '=°'™'"'°''».|"  tb 

-    H-njan  „aso„  ia  «.,  ^^*  "';«■'  «Pecula«„„,.V 

""^  fanguage.  a„d  ,ha,  °™ /^i'  '='"  «Peat  bu. 
'^•^  'he  BibleSt  f,  ,.  "'"'^"""e  truth.    But  a, 

•^-^  manifest.    I,  ^'  "'-'"'ces.ity  i„„p  ™' 

-•^ ''•«  common piaer;:;,'^"^^*'- -e" stored 
««=»ya,*„.  He  must  comL!  '''='"'*'«  *<fac. 
«=«e  of  hi,  o„^  ,„.' *°'».''"'e  »itb  this  tbe  e  J 

/;«««' and  expose  the  dS:-;''''''*»«f''«'l.,  to    • 
«<•«  e"ors  of  old  „e,ely  "7"' f  *"°'-- *"d  t.ot 
^^  P^essorewith  which  thtl '*''  """='-  'orn,. 
""""^  of  some  irorthV VT^""!!'  ^  "-e  burly 
7^  «>«  a  centum  ^  X"    """^"-on.  or  H 
"^^  connections,  and^K;^^  *"''"'  *'  '«  ™es  in      .  ,  . 
^^-''*«P«seit^r^:«^--'r-.ee.s.he 

'^'     Wse,  he  w^e.about  js 


\ 


V 


.,  /. 


u^pion^ 


scom- 
false- 

g  m  t}\e 

's,  or  tb 
§4  and 
3  ti  the  - 

it  Jlito\ 

ations. 

ak  but 

Sutas 

>f  aJi 

It  as- 

land, 

>ses, 

oio- 

>red 

lac- 

er- 

ust 

to    ' 

ot 

y 
t 


1 


*.-■■>■■-■  :3i. 

,'■"■■  ' 

■■"..-■.■'  "■  *  '  ■    .  ■   ■ 

wise  and  his  employment  about  as  useful,  as  if  the 
mental  philosopher  should  expend  all  his  energy, 
in  laboriously  overthrowing  the  thrice  refuted 
doctrine  of  innate  ideas,  because  Locke  found  it 
imperative  when  he  wrote: — or,  with  Reid,  in  ex- 
ploding the  theory  of  filmy  images  thrown  oflf  from 
outward  objects  and  lodged  in  the  sensonium ;  and 
should  then  exult  over  his  work,  as  a  compliete  and 
finished  scheme  of  intelleetuar  science. 

I  imagine,  I  cannot  be  so  far  misapprehended, 
as  to  be  thought  to  maintain  the  propriety  of  in- 
troducing such  discussions«largely  into  the  pulpit ; 
and  of  substituting  refined  and  intricate-  specula- 
tions, even  in  refutation  of  error,  in  place  of  « the 
sincere  milk  of  the  wo^d,"  in  which  'the  soul  finds 
its  aliment.  Such  ^  course  would  be  but  little  for 
edification.  And  where  it  has  so  far  prevailed,  as 
to  have  become  a  marked  feature  in  the  ministra- 
tions 6(  an  individual  or  class  of  preachers,  its  ef- 
fects upon  the  hearersji  I  apprehend,  have  been  far 
from  desirable.  It  is  apt  to  produce  a  hard  and 
unlovely  religious  |^  character :  piety  in  which, 
thotigh  the  principle^inay  be  sou^d,  the  affections 
are  not  called  forth  in  their  full  activity :  which  is 
in  undue  proportion  of  the  headland  often  dispu- 
tatious, rattier  than  of  a  heart  melting  and  breath- 
ing with  tenderness.  But  the  theological  teacher 
finds  place  for  them  in  his  lecture  room,  and  the 
-gtndent^n  this  rcgpectrafhrnuch  as  in  othors^  must  - 


,t 


-ft 


X 


y 


/ 


•  ,A 


be  instructedami  TtmigiieH      a   j  • 

the  man  of  a  distinlJnT^  :^"— -*  "  precisely 

such  topics  by  reflerfinn  fh  .1  """^  ''^ 

*«  particular,  whowithout  .he  paL^k         ° 
.  J„  ."g  or  ™„eh  ^CapVies,  wi,,  be'^i""" 

mystify  and  refine  and  specll^        u^  ^  *" 
PO- prepay,  than  ,;r,  5;'-°^^-^ 
existed  before,  to  create  dM^    !?""* 
.tl,e  skill  ,0  resolve.  "*f  *9^,¥»  h*  ha^^ot 
3.  But  I  pass  onto  remarlr  .i.,.  '•- 

-»*»o.  of  „i„d  is  anoIeTltlTth -r '^ 
perception  and  defence  of  therur   ,       T'  ^ 
sed  to  believe  that  this  is  »        ™  ""  *'P°-    '^ 

««ycomn,endedtha^e,ribitr   "r"*"""*"- 
found  or  even  inJ  "^ '  "'""'"»<"e 'arely 

■M-oLZ^£r"'P'^'^'^-''  than  man/ 
or  iittv  "/''*"'"'  T'  <»"•  pretentions  by  fine 

r-    The  «q«isitionsare  by  nole^  ZbT^' 
by  Mceremonioqsly  tumin«  our  hTr         ^' 
%hts  which  the  wise  aTd  I  «L:;  """•  ""* 
-ions  have  enkindled  atHur  „  Ta^'/r 
'-"■■■^■g.owalkbyourol„,:;^74f 


A  - 


,  f 


\ 


A  - 


K 


33 


tions:  any  (aiore  than  by  refusing  to  consult,  the 
latter,  and  becoming  ^lere  imitators;  repetitious 
parrots  of  other  men's  words,  the  mere  echoes  of 
the  former.    A  just,  but  not  a  servile  deference  is 
therefore  to  be  paid  to  what  may  have  become 
venerable  by  time,  or  sacred  from  association.    It 
is  no  conclusive  argument  indeed,  that  a  given  sen- 
timent or  practice  is  correct,  and  no  imperative 
reason  why  I  shouyradhere  to  it,  that  it  has  been 
long  prcvalen|,-^may  have  be^n  supported  by 
great  names.    Yet  it  is  a  reason,,  why  I  should  ap- 
proacli  it  respectfillly,  and  weigh  it  candidly.     Nor 
am  I  blameljpss  in  rejecting  it,  until,  on  patient  in- 
vestigation, its  fallacy  has  become  apparent.    The 
disposition  rudely  to  assail  and  scornfully  to  de- 
molish what  time  may  have  reared  and  sanctioned, 
and  that  because  it  is  old,  though  it  may  have  been 

the  actuating  spirit  of  many  recent  movements,  is 
not  therefore  to  be  applauded.  Surelyit  is  as im- 
portant and  as  wise  to  profit  by  the  stores  which 
other  ages  have  accumulated,  as  it  is  to  embrace 
each  guilded  novelty,  or  s^ek  in  untrodden  paths 
for  new  mines  of  thought.  Otherwise  the  race 
must  perform  an  endless  novitiate.  Instead  of  ad- 
vancing from  the  goal  wh'ich  has  been  already  at- 
tained, all  knowledge  and  improvement,  beyond 
what  the  experience  and  labors  of  a  single  life  might 
achieve,  were  visionary.  In  this  view,  I  think  we 
cannot  but  regard  the  dogma  of  DpHcnrtcg,  to  bo 


4 


gin  by  doubting  every  thing, -as  a  mere  prejudice: 
impracticable  ih   fact, 'utterly  inadmissible  as  a 
principle  q||;pligioife  guidance,  and  ^vhen  applied, 
to  either  physical  or  mental  science,  as  much  lack- 
ing  in  true  independence,  as  it  is  unphilosophicai. 
There  is,  however,  a  ver^  discernible  limit  to  the 
claims  0/ human  authority.    Neither  opinion  nor 
practice  ought  to-  exact  submission,   simply  be- 
cause it  exists,  or  can  plead  the  suffrage  of  a  high 
antiquity.     It  is  beyond  a  doubt  right,  that  what 
IS  presumed  to  liave  been  adopted  with  reason, 
should  be  brought   to  the  test  of  reason,  that  we 
.  may  be  assured  of  itsconforrt^ity  with  truth. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  it  i^  equally  important 
to  preserve  a  jeaJous  vigilance  h^ver  the  sugges- 
tions of  our  own  understanding^.     The  fine  theo- 
ry, Ihe  brillijint  invention,  the  suppoM  improve- 
ment, the  rare  thought  that  has  eluded  o^er  minds, 
possesses  a  §|trong-  fascination  against  w^ich:  the 
most  richly  gifted  ate  seldom  proofs    Pride  of  dis- 
covery,  ambition  to  become  the  leader  of  a  p^ity, 
may  easily  tempt  and  betray  ;  and  a  man  is  just> 
liable  to  wed  himself  to  some  creation  of  fancy^^ 
and  to  become  the  dupe  of  his  own  weakness,  of 
his  prejudices,  of  .|i8  speculations,  as.  to  sink  into 
the  blind,  submissive  slave,  the  credulous  followQr 
of  a  master.    Meanwhile  the  effect  upon  the  in- 
terests of  truth,  and  piety  may  IJe  widely  ipr^d    ^ 
and  disastro4s  in  the  extreme.    Is  it  uncharitable    ^ 


'^ms^^^i. 


■\ 


.^F 


35 


to  suggest  the  opinion,  that  iqr  such  a  source  may 
be  traced  a  very  largo  part  of  the  divisions  and 
heresies,  which  Jiave  infested  the  church  of  Christ  ? 
Men  of  ardent,  l|onest,  but  incautious  minds, 
bold  in  tliought,  impatient  of  restraint,  and  in- 
fluenced, perhaps  more  powerfully  tlian  they  were 

^  aware,  by  a  desire  to  signalize  themselves,  have 
conie  sincerely  to  believe  they  were  making^valu- 
able  contributions  to  truth,  while  they  have  only 
distracted  the  church -by  premature  arid  undigested 
theories.— -The  result  then  is,' that  true  inded^t!|lflcnce 
is  removed-fjom  each  extrena^*  ^P  are  to  exercise 
our  oiyn  minds,  fr^e  as  welt  from  arrogant  self-corr-  " 
fidence  as  from  the  trammels  of  mere  auth<irity. 
The  time  has  passed  when  glaring  absurdity  and 
contradiction  propounded  with  oracular  tone,  will 
be  received  for  sacred  mystery ;  but  then  every 
novelty,  or  old,  rejected  theory  newly  vamped,  is  not 
therefore  holy  verity.  We  ^are^toxreflect  that  the 
noblest  prerogative  of  mind,  is  the  right  to  think  for 
otirselves  ;  the  most  solemn  obligation  imuosed " 
upon  it,  is  to  think  justly,^  We^owe  it  to  ourselves, 
to  the  world,  to  God,  to  employ  the  facultit^  lie  has 
created  for  use,  freely,  honestly,  reyerentfy.in  the"^ 

"  search  of  truth  :  feieling  thtft  there  is  but  one  au- 
thority infallible,  and -not  to  be  questioned,  the  Bi-' 

ble :  that  «  one  is  our  master,  gven  Christ."  This 
wcj  regard  as  the  true  Christian  liberty  :  this  is  th^ 
Idfty  principle  "of  Protestant  Christianity.     But 


V 


•> 


d^ 


,j..,ijj- 


\..-:-^ 


iV^ 


■\- 


.^ 


Si'  ■■■ 


36 


& 


what  is  it  we  hear  ?  "  What  movement  is  this  we 
behold  ?    The  earth  quakes  with  the  rumblings  of 
distant  thunders.     «  Thou  hast  heard,  O  my  soul, 
the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  and  the  alarm  of  war,^ 
And  Protestantism  is  again  urged  to  the  field,  in  de- 
fifence  of  the  pure  elements  of  the  Gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God  :  in  support  of  first  principles,  drag- 
ged forth  by  the  strong  arm  of  Luther,  from  be- 
neath  the  rubbish  with  which  ages  and  centuries  of 
superstition  had  overlaid  and  buried  them.  Whence 
4his  clamor  for  the  fathers,  the  fathers:  as  if  they 
were  the  inspired  source  of  our  holy  religion:  or 
had  been  iponstituted  Lords  in  God's  heritage 
Were  the  fathers  crucified  for  ug?   or  were  we 
baptized  in  the  name  of  the  fathers  ?    And  whence 
this  unseemly,  unmanly  revulsion  from  a  cause 
with  the  impulses  of  which  the  world  has  started 
into  new  lifo  ;  with  which,  the  religious  activi^r,^ 
the  intellectual  light,  the  social  enterprize,  aye,  ajd 
even  the  civil  liberty  of  the  age  is  identified  ?  wiiy 
this  kurried  march,  into  the  irery  camp  of  the  ene- 
my  ?    And  this  too,  on  the  part  of  men  whose  re-  ^ 
forming  ancestors  met  frfeely  the  stake  and  the 
flames,  rather  than  consent  to  the  abominations  of 
^  that  Rome  to  which  they  are  now  hasting.    «0 
shame,  where  is  thy  blush." 
;  4. 1  add  as  the  last  point,  though  to  be  esteemed 
the  very  first  in  importance,  the  quality  that  must 
direct  and  control  all  the  rest,  a  spirit  of  fervent 

r^  "V-  ■  ■      ■         _        ' 


g^ 


•/'.it'" 


^^WawWHBIB 


37 


PRAYERFUL,  ACTIVE  PIETY.    We  haye  tlius  far 
spoken  of  the  call  for  intellectual  endowments  and 
acquisitions,  to  the  efficient  discharge  of  the  min- 
istry, on  which  we  can  hardly  insist  with  undue 
earnestness.    But  indispensable  as  they  may  be 
at  the  present  day,  they  are  far  from  comprisiiig 
the  whole  panoply,  or  constituting  the  chief  orna- 
ment of  th6man  of  God  iii  the  pulpit^jo/the  teacher 
in  .the  theological  chair.    If  t|iecorrect  u^er- 
standing  of  the  doctrines  comained  in  the  scrip- 
tures, and  the  ability  tc^^cidate  and  enforce  them 
.be  justly  desired,  surely  the  disposition  of  the 
heart  in  regard  to  them  is  not  less  momentous.    Is 
it  not  true,  and  in  agreement  with  alT^-the  known 
operations  of  our  minds,  that  our  moral  and  spir- 
itual state,  the  attitude  of  our  hearts  towards  a 
given  subject,  exerts  a  commanding  influence  over 
our  mental  perceptions  and  the  decisions  of  the 
will?    And  if. this  be  admitted  in  ordinary  cases, 
need  it  be  asked,  if  in  reference  to  such  a  subject 
as  the  Gospel,  so  peculiar  in  its  discoveries,  so 
pure  in  its  principles,  so  personal  in  its  application 
and  so  spiritual  in  its  whole  texture,  the  condition 
of  our  spirits,  our  affections,  have  nothing  to  do  ? 
It  would  not  be  difficult,  I  imagine,  to  show  that 
such  preparation  is  of  the  very  last  moment,  even 
to  the  critic  of  the  sacred  text.    And  quite  as  es- 
sential is  the  reverence,  the  sobriety,  the  just  sub- 
mission of  finite  reason  to  the  infinite  mind,  ardent 


Km 


.** 


'•'^^KSgi-- 


^^-r 


>•  ■»if^s7iin'-!«'«f" 


love  of  God  and  his  tFUth,  which  personal  piety 
engenders,  to  guide  and  enlighten  him,  whose  of- 
fice it  is  to  guide  others.  Are  we  not  apt  to  think 
too  little  of  this :— to  forget,  that  he  whodoes  not 
himself  glow  with  fire  from  off  the  altar,  will  vain- 
%  strive  to  awaken  feeling  in  others,  or  to  impart 
mental  impressions  or  spiritual  impulses? 

In  addition,  it  becomes  us  to  consider  our  abso- 
lute  dependance  on  the  great  source'  of  light  and 
power,  in  our  studies  as  much  as  in  our  public 
ministrations :  to  know  that  it  is  his  spirit  alone 
that  reveals  the  things  of  Christ  unto  us  and  is 
able  to  lead  us  into  ail  the  truth  ;  and  whose  influ- 
ences  are  dispensed  only  to  such  as  earnestly  im- 
plore  and  wait  for  them.    This  divine  instructor 
must  store  the  mind  with  knowledge,  kindle  the 
soul  in  sympathy,  and  touch'the  tongue  with  burn- 
mg  eloquence.    He  alone  can  prosper  our  labors 
remove  doubts,  unfold  mysteries,  and,  not  less  im' 
portant,   subdue  boldriess  and  restrain   us  from\ 
«  rushing  in,  where  angels  fear  to  tread."    This 
spirit  giving  power  with  God,  will  give  power  over 
ourselves  and  others.     The  remark  is  worthy  of 
P  emphasis,.prayer  and  temptation  make  the  Chris- 
tian eminent  in  holiness,  the  teacher  wise  to  in-* 
struct,   the  preacher  skillful  to  win  Souls.     The 
greatest  proficients  in  spiritual  lore,  have  ever 
been  men  of  the  warmest  piety,  who  have  studied 
the  Bible,  as  it  were,  on  their  knees.    And  without 


■JL. 


^ 


'm 


this  inward  preparation,  tlie  sparkling  wit,  the  pro- 
"  found  judgment,  the  elegant  fancy,  abundant  learn- 
ing,  all,  all,  will  be  vain.    The  teacher,  then,  has 
omitted  his  first  duty,  the  preacher^has  neglected 
his  best  armour,  when  he  has  not  sought  to  illumi- 
nate his  mind  and  warm  his  soul,.by  light  and  love 
from  on  high.     And  in  a  theological  seminary,  he 
who  is  called  to  impart  instruction,  and  the  youth 
who  receive  it  and  who  are  aspiring  to  the  sacred 
functions,  will  find  that  no  other  endowments  will 
compensate  for  the  absence  of  this.    Nor  is  any 
evil  to  be  more  depricated  by  the  church,  than  that 
her  youth,  unfurnished  in  this  particular,  should 
advance  to  the  ministry  as  a  mere  profession,  ^n 
easy  mode  of  obtaining  a  respectable  livelihood. 

The  subject  scarcely  calls  for  a  formal  applica- 
tion, and  th|^special  addresses  the  occasion  re- 
quires, fall -to  the   province  of  another.    I  will 
--therefore  only  add,  that  the  purpose  of  this  day's 
services  deeply  impresses  and  aflfects  us.    In  the 
place  of  the  father  faithful  and  beloved,  who  has  re- 
tired from  his  laborious  duties  in  this  seminary,  we 
come  to  induct  a  new  professor  into  office.    The 
event  is  momentous  to  the  esteemed  brother  about 
toassumeuntried  responsibilities,  to  the  Institu- 
tion around  which  tender  sympathies  clustre,  and 
for  which  many  prayers  of  the  living  and  the  dead 
have  gone  up  to  the  throile  of  heavenly  grace :  it 
will  be  so  in  its  consequences  to  the  youth  who 


w 


•imr 


lyj 


tl 


40 


:l    ^\ 


!■■ 


frotn  year  to  year  may  .Collect  withiaits  walls,  and 
to  the  church  of  our  ^ections  far  generations  yet 
to  come.    In  an  eminent  sense  may  he,  who  is  to 
train  and  direct  the  ministerial  mind,  to  mould  its 
sentiments  and  foster. its  spirit,  be  said  to  be  "set 
for  the  defence  of  the  Gospel."    «  The  things  he 
has  heard,"  the  truth.as  it  is  in  Jesus,  «  he  is  to 
commit  to  faithful  men,  who  may  be  able  to  teach 
others  afeo."    It  is  not  secular,  but'heavenly  sci- 
ence :  not  the  opinions  of  any  man  or  set  of  men, 
however  wise  they  may  have"been,  that  he  is  com- 
missioned to  inculcate,  but  the  «  mind  of  the  spir- 
it."    It  is  not  any  worldly,  or  sectarian  views 
merely,  but  the  glory  of  the  master,  the  salvation 
of  souls,  the  extended  interests  of  the  whole  fam-. 
ily  of  Christ,  that  are  here  the  high  concernment. 
While  we  love  our  own  church,  cherish  her  doc- 
trine and  order,  and  would  hold  «  her  stojies  pre-/ 
cious  in  our  sight  and  favor  the  dust  thereof,"  we 
cannot  forget  that  we  are  but  a  portion  of  the  army 
of  the  living  God.    We  should  stand  in  our  lot, 
and  aim  to  perform  our  part,  in  extending  the 
kingdom  of  our  Immanuel.    May  sound  learning,, 
just  sentiment,  holy  consecration  und  diligence  in 
service  adorn  this  place;  may  true  piety  ^ed  its 
hallowing  influence  through  every  heart  and  over 
eveiy  avocation ;  that  from  thisfountain  may  issiie 
"streams  that  shall,  make  glad,  the  city  of  our  " 
God."    Amen.  v      -  ♦  •' 


-1 


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